American Revolution Chapter 5
2 nd Continental Congress Divided between different groups
Independence group: John Adams Richard Henry Lee Ben Franklin
Stay with England: John Dickenson
Olive Branch Petition Dec. of Cause & Necessity of Taking Up Arms Actions by Congress
British Reaction Prohibitory Act: *Declares colonies in revolt *blockade declared
England also wants to Recruit Indians and Slaves Hire Mercenaries
Common Sense January 1776 Thomas Paine
Problem not any particular act, it was the corrupt system including king System not fit to rule America
June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee proposes independence
Declaration Committee Adams Franklin Sherman Livingston Jefferson
Declaration of Independence 1 st part-philosophy of rebellion *based on Locke 2 nd part-crimes of the king *broke Social Contract
Congress creates Continental Army Commander: George Washington
Why Washington? Wealthy planter Military experience Early advocate of independence From Virginia From Virginia!!!
Why is Washington so important? *keeps army together *symbol for the people *sets precedent for military subservience to government
Problems for Colonies *No industry No ability large scale manufacturing of guns No ability for heavy arms
*No established army or navy Must build everything from scratch
*No way to finance war -Congress can’t tax -states don’t raise enough only 6% of revenue
Congress and states both print money *causes inflation *some prefer to deal with British
One method of getting money and supplies? France and Holland
*Not enough volunteers Not as many join up after first year
What advantage do the colonies have? THEY DON’T HAVE TO DEFEAT THE BRITISH
3 Phases of the War
New England Phase
*Bunker Hill *Brits leave Boston *Invasion of Canada
Mid Atlantic Phase
*Brooklyn Heights *Harlem Heights *White Plains *Trenton *Princeton
British Plan for 1777 Gen Howe north from NYC towards Albany Gen Burgoyne south from Canada
SARATOGA October 17, 1777
France Recognizes America Gives money, guns, navy
Southern Phase The search for Loyalists
Cornwallis goes to Southern Colonies Expects lots of loyalist to join him
Loyalist are few Can’t trap American troops under Nathaniel Greene Cornwallis gets frustrated, can only control areas he occupies
Washington, Rochambeau, and de Grasse go south
YORKTOWN October 17,1781 Cornwallis surrenders
“The World Turned Upside down”
Adams, Franklin and Jay September 3, 1783 *independence *Canada to Florida Atlantic to Mississippi PEACE TREATY
LOSERS *Loyalists *Anglican Church *Quakers
Catholics – only for a while
STATE GOVERNEMNTS * Based on colonial experience *Written *weak/no Executive *many have Bill of Rights